HOPE Week begins on Monday

The Yankees annual HOPE Week will take place when the team returns home next week. As usual, the daily events are meant to be surprises, but this year there’s one exception. On Monday, the Yankees will kick off the event by bringing together representatives from all 25 prior HOPE Week days for a reunion at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. The gathering will celebrate the event’s five-year anniversary with Brian Cashman, Mariano Rivera, David Cone and Ivan Nova scheduled to attend. The Yankees sent an official HOPE Week announcement this week. It really is a pretty great event. Here’s the announcement from the team.

[2]The New York Yankees are proud to announce details of HOPE Week 2014 (Helping Others Persevere & Excel), a unique week-long community program that brings to light remarkable stories intended to inspire individuals into action in their own communities.

Initiated in 2009 and now in its sixth year, HOPE Week is rooted in the fundamental belief that acts of goodwill provide hope and encouragement to more than just the recipient of the gesture.

Each day during HOPE Week, from Monday, June 16, through Friday, June 20, the Yankees will reach out to an individual, family or organization worthy of recognition and support. Whenever possible, the Yankees will attempt to personally connect with individuals in the settings of their greatest successes or at locations that honor the spirit of their noble endeavors. All outreach in the community ultimately culminates with recognition at Yankee Stadium during a Yankees game.

This year marks the third consecutive year in which each of the Yankees’ six U.S.-based affiliates will hold its own HOPE Week, truly making this initiative one that the entire organization stands behind in words and in action.

HOPE Week is about people helping people. The one thing everybody has — no matter their background or financial situation — is time. By involving every one of our players and coaches, along with Manager Joe Girardi, General Manager Brian Cashman, our minor league affiliates and front office staff, we are sending the message that everyone can give of themselves to make their community a better place. Equally significant during HOPE Week is gaining publicity for the highlighted causes and organizations. The greatest challenge facing many not-for-profits is generating interest, awareness and funding for their missions.

Earlier this year, the Yankees recognized the return of HOPE Week with a pregame ceremony on March 28 at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.

At the conclusion of the last four Yankees HOPE Weeks from 2010-13, the Yankees (2010), the Steinbrenner family (2011), the Yankees’ minor league affiliates (2012) and the Yankees Foundation (2013) have each been honored with the President’s Volunteer Service Award, given “in recognition and appreciation of commitment to strengthening the nation and for making a difference through volunteer service.” The awards were bestowed by the Corporation for National and Community Service, which implements the President’s Call to Service.

In recognition of the HOPE Week initiative, the Yankees were honored with the Inspiration Glammy Award from the GlamourGals Foundation in 2013 and twice honored in 2011, receiving the DMF Champion of HOPE Award from Daniel’s Music Foundation and the “Just Cause” Award at the PromaxBDA Sports Media Marketing Summit.